JP2020194223A - Notification system, notification controller, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a clerk to handle a commodity appropriately regardless of his/her work experience at a store.SOLUTION: A notification system includes: a commodity identification unit that identifies a commodity; a notification unit that performs notification; a storage unit that stores information on the notification unit associated with a commodity that associates the notification unit and the commodity; and notification control means for controlling the notification unit associated with the commodity identified by a commodity identification unit that identifies the commodity based on the information on the notification unit associated with the commodity so as to perform a predetermined notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a notification system, a notification control device, and a program.

Electronic shelf labels are placed for each displayed product on the display shelves of stores, and product information such as product names and prices is presented by the electronic shelf labels (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-24497

At a store, a clerk may perform operations such as replenishing products at a predetermined display position or taking out products ordered by a customer from the display position. In such a case, for example, a clerk who has just started business in a store may not have sufficient product knowledge or may not be able to sufficiently grasp the display position of the product. In this case, the clerk is liable to make a business error such as wondering where the product is displayed, making a mistake in the place to replenish the product, or making a mistake in the product to be taken out.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a clerk to handle a product appropriately regardless of work experience or the like.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a storage that stores a product identification unit that specifies a product, a notification unit that performs notification, and a notification unit product correspondence information in which the notification unit and the product are associated with each other. A notification including a unit and a notification control means for controlling the notification unit associated with the product specified by the product identification unit that specifies the product in the notification unit product correspondence information so as to perform a predetermined notification. It is a system.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the notification unit associated with the product specified by the product specifying means for specifying the product is the notification unit product correspondence information in which the notification unit performing the notification and the product are associated with each other. , A notification control device including a notification control means for controlling so as to perform a predetermined notification.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is to use a computer as a notification control device as a product specified by a product identification means for specifying a product by means of notification unit product correspondence information in which a notification unit that performs notification and a product are associated with each other. This is a program for causing the associated notification unit to function as a notification control means for controlling so as to perform a predetermined notification.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect that the clerk can properly handle the product regardless of the work experience or the like.

It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the POS system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the installation example of the POS terminal in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the appearance example of the POS terminal in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the POS terminal in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which looked at the appearance example of the electronic shelf label in 1st Embodiment from the front view. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the electronic shelf label in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display of the cooked product in the heat insulation fixture in 1st Embodiment, and the installation example of the electronic shelf label corresponding to each cooked product. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure which a POS terminal and an electronic shelf label in 1st Embodiment execute according to the display setting operation by a clerk. It is a figure which shows an example of the shelf label product correspondence information in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure which a POS terminal and an electronic shelf label in the 1st Embodiment execute in connection with registration of a cooked product. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure which a POS terminal and an electronic shelf label in 1st Embodiment execute in relation to the expiration date notice of a cooked product. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure which a POS terminal and an electronic shelf label in 1st Embodiment execute in connection with the replenishment instruction of a cooked product. It is a figure which shows the example of the state which the cigarette is displayed in the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the shelf label product correspondence information in 2nd Embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is a figure which shows an example of the product designation screen corresponding to the tobacco product registration. It is a figure which shows an example of the shelf label display operation screen in the 1st modification. It is a figure which shows an example of the shelf label product correspondence information in the 1st modification. It is a figure which shows the appearance example of the ticket vending machine in the 3rd modification.

<First Embodiment>
[Configuration example of POS system]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The POS system shown in the figure is provided at the store ST. The POS system shown in the figure includes a POS terminal 20, an electronic shelf label 30, a store controller 10, and a clerk mobile terminal 40.
The POS terminal 20, the electronic shelf label 30, the store controller 10, and the clerk mobile terminal 40 are communicably connected by the in-store network NT. The connection via the in-store network NT in the POS system may be wireless, wired, or a mixture of wireless and wired.

The POS terminal 20 executes a process corresponding to the accounting at the store. In addition, the POS terminal 20 executes control corresponding to display, notification, and the like on the electronic shelf label 30. Although the figure shows an example in which two POS terminals 20 are installed in the store ST, the number of POS terminals 20 installed in the store ST is not particularly limited.

The electronic shelf label 30 is installed at a position corresponding to each predetermined product displayed at the store ST, and can be used as a shelf label by displaying information about the product such as the product name and price of the corresponding product. It is a device with a function.

The store controller 10 is a higher-level device of the POS terminal 20, and transmits information such as a product master to the POS terminal 20. Further, the store controller 10 may be configured to store, for example, the actual results of accounting processing by the POS terminal 20.

The clerk mobile terminal 40 is a terminal that the clerk carries and uses in response to business. The clerk mobile terminal 40 can perform operations such as ordering products.

The form of the store ST in which the POS system of the present embodiment is introduced is not particularly limited, but in the following description, a case where the POS system is introduced in a convenience store will be given as an example.

[About POS terminals]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an installation example of a POS terminal. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 and the like as viewed from the customer side. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 and the like as viewed from the clerk side. As shown in FIG. 2A, a counter is placed on the right side of the POS terminal 20 when viewed from the customer side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the POS terminal. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as viewed from the customer side. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as viewed from the clerk side. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the POS terminal 20. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

Hereinafter, a configuration example of the POS terminal 20 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The POS terminal 20 includes CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, hard disk 204, customer side display unit 205, customer side scanner unit 206, card payment unit 208, change machine 209, clerk side display unit 210, key operation unit 211, and clerk side scanner unit. It includes 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, and a communication unit 215. These can communicate with each other via the bus.

The CPU 201 is a central processing unit of the POS terminal 20, and controls the operation of the POS terminal 20 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 202.
The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various information used by the CPU 201 including a program.

The RAM 203 is a read / write memory and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 contains information acquired from the outside (for example, a product master acquired from the store controller 10) and information generated in the process (for example, registration information generated in the registration process, settlement information generated in the settlement process, etc.). Remember.

The hard disk 204 stores various information. The hard disk 204 may store, for example, a program executed by the CPU 201 instead of the ROM 202. Further, instead of the RAM 203, information acquired from the outside or information generated in the process may be stored.

The customer side display unit 205 is a touch display for the customer, displays various information to the customer, and receives various inputs from the customer.
The customer side scanner unit 206 is a customer scanner unit, and for example, optically reads a bar code (product code, etc.) attached to a product.

The customer side scanner unit 206 is used when the customer registers the product, but the customer may register the product by another method. For example, when a product order button or the like is displayed on the customer side display unit 205, the customer can operate (press) the order button to register the product.

The card payment unit 208 is a payment mechanism using various cards (credit card, transportation card, etc.). The card payment unit 208 of the present embodiment includes a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit, but at least it may be provided with a card recognition unit.

The change machine 209 (cash settlement unit) is a cash settlement mechanism, has a bill / coin slot and a bill / coin outlet, calculates the amount to be inserted into the slot, and determines the amount to be inserted and the purchase amount. The difference amount of change is calculated, and the change is discharged from the discharge port.

The clerk side display unit 210 is a touch display for the clerk, displays various information to the clerk, and receives various inputs from the clerk.
The key operation unit 211 is composed of various keys (buttons) and receives various inputs from a clerk.
The clerk side scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for clerk, and for example, optically reads a bar code (product code or the like) attached to a product, a clerk code attached to a clerk's name tag, or the like.

The clerk side scanner unit 212 is used when the clerk registers the product, but the clerk may register the product by another method. For example, when a key corresponding to a product (for example, a key corresponding to a sports newspaper) is arranged in the key operation unit 211, the clerk may operate (press) the key to register the product. it can. Further, when the preset key corresponding to the product is displayed on the display unit 210 on the clerk side, the clerk can operate the preset key to register the product.

The printing unit 213 is a printing unit that discharges media, and prints and issues various media such as receipts. The printing unit 213 is one printing unit that can rotatably change the direction from the clerk side to the customer side and from the customer side to the clerk side (direction of the medium issuing port). The orientation of the printing unit may be changed manually, or may be automatically changed (mechanically controlled, etc.) according to the transition of the operation mode, for example. The correctness of the orientation of the printing unit may be detected by a sensor or the like.

The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the voice output unit 214 outputs voice guidance and the like.
The communication unit 215 transmits / receives information to / from another device (another POS terminal 20, a store controller 10).

[Operation mode of POS terminal]
Subsequently, the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The POS terminal 20 has a plurality of operation modes. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 has four operation modes: a normal mode, a full self mode, a double scan mode, and a semi-self mode.
The operation modes described below are operation modes related to accounting during normal business operations (operation modes related to registration processing and settlement processing), totaling modes for totaling and inquiring sales, sales, etc., and sales staff and maintenance staff. It does not include the maintenance mode for setting work and maintenance work, and the training mode for newcomers.
In the present embodiment, "accounting" is a concept including, for example, from product registration in one transaction to settlement (settlement) of the registered product.

The normal mode is an operation mode corresponding to a case where a clerk performs an operation according to product registration (product registration operation) and a customer performs an operation according to payment (payment operation) in accounting. In the normal mode, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process according to the product registration operation performed by the clerk on the clerk side (FIG. 2 (A)), and the settlement operation performed by the customer on the customer side (FIG. 2 (B)). Settlement processing is executed according to.
Specifically, the clerk registers the purchased product of the customer by operating the clerk-side display unit 210, the clerk-side scanner unit 212, the key operation unit 211, and the like. When the registration of the product by the clerk is completed, the customer confirms the total amount of the purchased product displayed on the clerk side display unit 210, inserts money into the change machine 209 for payment, or the customer side display unit. 205, operate the card payment unit 208. The POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process in response to such a customer operation.

The customer may wait until the registration process is completed (until the total amount is fixed), but may insert money into the change machine 209 before the product registration process is completed. That is, the POS terminal 20 may be able to accept payment during the registration process.

In addition, the clerk may wait until the payment by the customer is completed (until the customer picks up the change or receipt), or may register the purchased product of the next customer. That is, the POS terminal 20 may be able to register the purchased product of the next customer during the settlement process.

In addition, the POS terminal 20 controls the payout of change / fishing bills by the change machine 209 in order to prevent forgetting to take the change when there is change, and detects that the customer has removed the change / fishing bills, etc. After recognizing with, the printing unit 213 controls the issuance of the receipt. The same applies to other operation modes.

The full self mode is an operation mode in which the customer performs a product registration operation and a settlement operation. In the full self mode, the customer performs an operation of registering the purchased product on the customer side (FIG. 2A) by operating the customer side display unit 205, the customer side scanner unit 206, and the like. When the registration process is completed, the customer confirms the total amount of the purchased products displayed on the clerk side display unit 210, inserts money into the change machine 209 for payment, or makes a payment with the customer side display unit 205 or a card. Operate unit 208.

In the full self mode, the customer side executes both the registration process and the settlement process, but the clerk side does not mean that nothing can be done. That is, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self mode, the clerk code can be scanned by the clerk side scanner unit 212. Further, the POS terminal 20 can display various information (for example, a list described in FIG. 15) on the clerk side display unit 210 even when operating in the full self mode.
For example, during operation in the full self mode, the clerk side display unit 210 has a screen similar to that displayed on the customer side display unit 205 according to the registration process and the settlement process performed on the customer side. May be displayed. That is, the contents displayed on the customer side display unit 205 may be displayed so as to be mirrored on the clerk side display unit 210. As a result, the clerk can grasp what kind of operation the customer is performing in the full self mode and what kind of processing status the POS terminal 20 is in.

The double scan mode is an operation mode in which each of the clerk and the customer can perform the product registration operation, and the customer performs the payment operation. That is, in the double scan mode, the clerk registers the purchased product by operating the clerk side display unit 210, the clerk side scanner unit 212, and the key operation unit 211, and the customer registers the purchased product on the customer side. Products can be registered by operating the customer-side display unit 205, the customer-side scanner unit 206, and the like. In addition, the product registration operation on the clerk side and the product registration operation on the customer side may be performed in parallel. The POS terminal 20 executes the registration process according to each of the product registration operation performed on the clerk side and the product registration operation performed on the customer side.
When the registration process is completed, the customer confirms the total amount of the purchased products displayed on the clerk side display unit 210, inserts money into the change machine 209 for payment, or makes a payment with the customer side display unit 205 or a card. Operate unit 208.

In the double scan mode, the POS terminal 20 may be made to wait until the clerk completes the payment by the customer (until the customer picks up the change or receipt), but before the payment of the previous customer is completed. At the stage, the clerk may be able to register the next customer's purchased product. In addition, the clerk may be absent during the payment by the customer. That is, the clerk may finish the reception of the customer during the settlement of the customer.

The semi-self mode is an operation mode that is possible when a plurality of POS terminals 20 are installed. In the semi-self mode, the clerk of the POS terminal 20 in which at least one registration-only mode is set registers the product, and the customer of the other POS terminal 20 in which the settlement-only mode is set. Customers are allowed to make payments on the side.
In the semi-self mode, the clerk operates the clerk side scanner unit 212, the clerk side display unit 210, the key operation unit 211, and the like on the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode to register the customer's purchased product.
When the product registration operation by the clerk is completed, the customer moves to the POS terminal 20 in the payment-only mode. Information necessary for the settlement process (registration information generated by the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, etc.) is supplied to the POS terminal 20 at the destination. The customer confirms the total amount of the purchased products displayed on the customer side display unit 205 of the POS terminal 20 in the payment-only mode of the destination, and inserts money into the change machine 209 for payment, or the customer side. Operate the display unit 205 and the card payment unit 208.

In the following description, the case where the POS terminal 20 is operated in the normal mode will be taken as an example.
Further, the POS terminal 20 in the present embodiment is not limited to the one that can be switched in the four operation modes as described above, and for example, the clerk operates the accounting process corresponding to the process from product registration to settlement. It may be made to be done accordingly.

[About electronic shelf labels]
FIG. 5A is a front view of an example of the appearance of the electronic shelf label 30. A display unit 304 and a light emitting indicator unit 305 are arranged in front of the electronic shelf label 30.
The display unit 304 is composed of a display device such as electronic paper, and displays the contents according to the input display data. FIG. 5B shows an example in which information (product-related information) related to the “karaage (salty)” product is displayed on the display unit 304.
The light emitting indicator unit 305 is a portion where display is performed by a light emitting element such as an LED. The light emitting indicator unit 305 may be made to emit light in a single color, or may be made capable of issuing in a predetermined number of colors.

The electronic shelf label 30 is provided on a display shelf or the like so as to be attached to a predetermined position corresponding to a predetermined product displayed, and the display unit 304 of the electronic shelf label 30 is shown in FIG. 5 (B). As illustrated, the product-related information for the corresponding product is displayed. The customer can know the product name and price of the corresponding product by looking at the product-related information displayed on the electronic shelf label 30.

Further, the code information BC is attached to the electronic shelf label 30. The code information BC indicates at least a shelf label code which is an identifier uniquely indicating, for example, the corresponding electronic shelf label 30.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the electronic shelf label 30. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
The electronic shelf label 30 in the figure includes a CPU 301, a storage unit 302, a RAM 303, a display unit 304, a light emitting indicator unit 305, and a communication unit 306.
The CPU 301 is a central processing unit for the electronic shelf label 30, and controls the operation of the electronic shelf label 30 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 302, for example.
The storage unit 302 is an auxiliary storage device for the electronic shelf label 30, and stores various information used by the CPU 301, including a program.
The RAM 303 is the main storage device of the electronic shelf label 30, and stores information temporarily used when the CPU 301 executes processing.
The communication unit 306 executes communication via the in-store network NT.

The electronic shelf label 30 has a structure (attachment portion) that can be attached at a predetermined position corresponding to the displayed product. The mounting portion is not particularly limited, and an appropriate structure may be taken depending on the mounting location. As a specific example of the mounting portion, for example, the mounting portion may be a portion having a shape that can be inserted or fitted into a groove or a hole of the portion on the side where the electronic shelf label 30 is attached. Further, the mounting portion may have a structure in which an object is sandwiched by a clip mechanism. Further, the attachment portion may be attached by magnetic force using a magnet or the like. Further, the mounting portion may be made capable of mounting by adhesive. Further, the attachment portion may be made capable of attachment by adsorbing it using a suction cup.

[Example of using an electronic shelf label in this embodiment]
[Display settings for electronic shelf labels]
The store ST as a convenience store is designed to provide products (cooked products) that have been cooked, such as fried chicken, and fried in a fryer at the store ST. Such cooked products are displayed by putting them in a showcase (heat insulation fixture) that can keep heat.
For example, in the business of product registration, for products (general products) that are displayed on general display shelves instead of cooked products, customers pick up the products they want to purchase and use the POS terminal 20 at the time of accounting. It is designed to be handed over to the clerk who operates it. Therefore, general products are usually attached with a barcode indicating product information such as a product code. Therefore, when the clerk who operates the POS terminal 20 receives a general product from a customer, he / she performs an operation of inputting the barcode attached to the received general product into the POS terminal 20 to register the product. It can be carried out. In this case, even if the clerk has just started working at the store ST and has little knowledge of the product or does not fully understand the display position of the product (unskilled person), there is no particular problem with the product. You can perform the business of registration.
On the other hand, in the case of a cooked product displayed in a heat-retaining fixture, a clerk is made to take out the target cooked product from the heat-retaining fixture in response to an order from a customer. Moreover, the cooked product itself does not have a barcode. Therefore, when registering a cooked product, the clerk performs an operation so as to execute the registration process after designating the cooked product to be registered. In this case, if the clerk is an inexperienced person, mistakes such as searching for the target product without knowing where it is when taking out the target product or making a mistake in the product are likely to occur. It is preferable that the occurrence of such mistakes is reduced as much as possible.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the electronic shelf tag 30 is used for the cooked products displayed on the heat insulating fixture. Then, as described below, the electronic shelf label 30 is used to give the clerk a predetermined notification (including warnings, instructions, etc.) about the cooked product, so that the clerk handles the cooked product. Try to reduce mistakes.

FIG. 7 shows a display of cooked products in the heat insulating fixture 50 and an installation example of electronic shelf tags 30 corresponding to each cooked product. In the figure, the display unit 304, the light emitting indicator unit 305, the code information BC, and the like on the electronic shelf label 30 are not shown.
FIG. 7A is a view of the heat insulating fixture 50 as viewed from the store clerk side. FIG. 7B is a view of the heat insulating fixture 50 as viewed from the customer side facing the clerk side.
The heat insulating fixture 50 is installed in the vicinity of the POS terminal 20, for example, on the counter on which the POS terminal 20 is installed.
The heat insulator 50 is a transparent showcase aspect. From the clerk side, for example, the door of the heat insulating fixture 50 can be opened and closed. The clerk can open the door of the heat insulating fixture 50 to put the cooked products inside and display them, or take out the cooked products on display. In addition, the customer side of the heat insulating fixture 50 can confirm what kind of cooked products are displayed through the transparent case.

In the example of the figure, the heat insulating fixture 50 has three upper and lower stages, and two types of cooked products are displayed in each stage.
Specifically, when viewed from the clerk side with reference to FIG. 7A, the tray TL-1 is arranged on the left side and the tray TL-2 is arranged on the right side in the first stage (upper stage) from the top. There is. The cooked product SC-1 is placed on the tray TL-1, and the cooked product SC-2 is placed on the tray TL-2.
Further, in the second stage (middle stage) from the top, the tray TL-3 is arranged on the left side and the tray TL-4 is arranged on the right side. The cooked product SC-3 is placed on the tray TL-3, and the cooked product SC-4 is placed on the tray TL-4.
Further, in the third stage (lower stage) from the top, the tray TL-5 is arranged on the left side and the tray TL-6 is arranged on the right side. The cooked product SC-5 is placed on the tray TL-5, and the cooked product SC-6 is placed on the tray TL-6.
In FIG. 7B, the state in which the cooked products SC-1 to SC-6 placed on the trays TL-1 to TL-6 arranged as shown in FIG. 7A are arranged is referred to as the clerk side. Is shown as seen from the opposite customer side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), on the clerk side of the heat insulating fixture 50, each of the six cooked products SC-1 to SC-6 displayed as described above has a display unit on the clerk side. The electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B are arranged so as to be oriented. Here, the electronic shelf label 30-1B on the customer side and the electronic shelf label 30-1A on the clerk side are a pair of electronic shelf labels associated with the same product. Similarly, the electronic shelf labels 30-2B to 30-6B on the customer side and the electronic shelf labels 30-2A to 30-2B on the clerk side are paired electronic shelf labels associated with the same product, respectively.
Although not shown in the figure, in each of the electronic shelf labels 30-1A to 30-6A, the corresponding products as seen by the clerk are the cooked products SC-1 to SC-6, respectively. Product-related information such as a product name is displayed so that it can be grasped.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B are arranged on the customer side corresponding to each of the cooked products SC-1 to SC-6.
In each of the electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B, product-related information showing information about the corresponding product necessary for the customer, such as the product name and price, is displayed.
The content of the product-related information displayed for the clerk on the electronic shelf labels 30-1A to 30-6A and the content of the product-related information displayed for the customer on the electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B are the same. It may be present, or different contents may be displayed depending on whether it is for a clerk or a customer.

In the following description of FIG. 7, the electronic shelf labels 30-1A to 30-6A on the clerk side will be described as electronic shelf labels 30-A unless otherwise specified. Further, when the electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B on the customer side are not particularly distinguished, they are described as electronic shelf labels 30-B. Further, when the electronic shelf label 30-A and the electronic shelf label 30-B are not particularly distinguished, the electronic shelf label 30 is described.
Further, when the trays TL-1 to TL-6 are not particularly distinguished, they are described as tray TL.
Further, when the cooked products SC-1 to SC-6 are not particularly distinguished, they are described as cooked products SC.

The electronic shelf label 30 can display the information by acquiring (receiving) the information for display. Therefore, each of the electronic shelf labels 30 installed corresponding to the heat insulating fixture 50 is also made to display the product-related information of the corresponding product by acquiring the product-related information of the corresponding product. In the present embodiment, the product-related information can be displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 by the clerk performing the display setting operation as described below.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 30 in response to a display setting operation by a clerk will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 will be described.
Step S101: For example, at a certain time on a business day, the clerk prepares to display the cooked product SC on the heat insulating fixture 50. At this time, the clerk corresponds to the left and right places (places where the tray TL is placed) in each of the upper, middle, and lower tiers of the heat insulating fixture 50, and the clerk side has an electronic shelf tag 30-1A in advance. ~ 30-6A is attached, and electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B are attached to the customer side. At this time, since neither the electronic shelf labels 30-1A to 30-6A nor the electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B have acquired information for display, the display unit 304 is not displayed. is there.
After completing the above preparations, the clerk operates the POS terminal 20 to set the shelf label display control mode. The shelf label display control mode is a mode in which the POS terminal 20 executes control to display the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the heat insulating fixture 50. The POS terminal 20 sets the shelf label display control mode according to the operation of setting the shelf label display control mode.

It should be noted that the clerk confirms (determines) which cooked product is to be displayed where (in which tray TL) the heat insulating fixture 50 is to be displayed at the stage of performing the operation of the shelf label display control mode.
Alternatively, the cooked product SC may be displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50 before displaying the product-related information on the electronic shelf label 30.

Step S102: The clerk performs an operation (product designation operation) of designating one of the products displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 as a target product. The POS terminal 20 accepts the product designation operation performed by the clerk. That is, the POS terminal 20 may be made to store the information of the product designated by the product designation operation in, for example, the RAM 203.

Step S103: Further, the clerk uses the code information BC attached to the electronic shelf label 30 attached corresponding to the position where the product specified by the product designation operation corresponding to step S102 is displayed to the clerk side scanner unit. The operation of reading by 212 (may be the customer side scanner unit 206) is performed. In response to this operation, the POS terminal 20 acquires information (shelf tag information) such as a shelf tag code indicated by the code information read by the scanner unit 212 on the clerk side.

Here, in the example shown in FIG. 7, one electronic shelf label 30 is associated with each of the clerk side and the customer side (two in total) for one cooking product SC. Corresponding to step S103, the code information of one electronic shelf label 30 is read. For example, when the content to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 is different between the clerk side and the customer side, when the code information is read from the electronic shelf label 30, the electronic shelf label 30 to be read is different from that of the clerk side. It is preferable to be able to identify which side is the customer side.
Therefore, when the code information is read from the electronic shelf label 30 in response to step S103, the clerk tells the store clerk that the electronic shelf label 30 to be read this time is either the clerk side or the customer side. The operation for designating the information may be performed on the POS terminal 20.

In correspondence with the processing procedures of steps S102 and S103, the clerk first performs the product designation operation, and then performs the operation of reading the code information BC of the electronic shelf label 30. However, the clerk may first perform the operation of reading the code information BC of the electronic shelf label 30, and then perform the product designation operation. When the operations are performed in this order, the POS terminal 20 executes the processes in the order of steps S103 and S102.

Step S104: The POS terminal 20 stores the shelf label product correspondence information in response to the execution of the processes of steps S102 and S103. The shelf tag product correspondence information is information indicating the correspondence between the electronic shelf tag 30 attached to the heat insulating fixture 50 and the product displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50. The shelf tag product correspondence information may be stored in the hard disk 204.

FIG. 9 shows an example of shelf label product correspondence information stored in the POS terminal 20. One line (one record) in the figure is one shelf product correspondence information corresponding to a combination of one cooking product SC and two electronic shelf tags 30 on the clerk side and the customer side.
One shelf tag product correspondence information has a structure in which the shelf tag code of each of the corresponding electronic shelf tags 30 on the clerk side and the customer side is associated with the corresponding cooked product product code. The shelf label code of the shelf label product correspondence information is obtained from the code information of the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to step S103. The product code of the shelf label product correspondence information is the product code of the product specified in accordance with step S102.

Here, corresponding to one cooked product SC, for example, at the stage where the shelf label product correspondence information is stored in response to the code information being read from the electronic shelf tag 30 on the clerk side first, the stored shelf tag The area of the shelf label code on the customer side in the product correspondence information is in a blank state. Then, after that, when the code information is read from the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side corresponding to the same one cooking product SC, the POS terminal 20 performs the following processing as the processing of step S104. Just do it. That is, the area of the shelf label code on the customer side in the shelf label product correspondence information stored in the state where the code information of the electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side is already stored is read from the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side. The shelf label code based on the code information may be stored.

The electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side and the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side corresponding to the cooking product SC of 1 may be registered in advance as a pair. In this case, for example, in the shelf label product correspondence information, the shelf label code of the electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side and the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side, which are registered and set in advance so as to be a pair, are in a pair relationship. It is remembered that it is in.
Further, in this case, the two electronic shelf labels 30 registered as a pair are unique so that the pairs can be identified from each other and can be distinguished from the electronic shelf labels 30 other than the other pairs. A mark (for example, a predetermined figure, a pattern, a pair number, a character, etc.) as a mark may be attached. As a result, when the clerk attaches the electronic shelf label 30 to the heat insulating fixture 50, by checking the mark, there is a pair relationship without being mistaken for another electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to one cooking product SC2. The two electronic shelf labels 30 can be attached to the clerk side and the customer side, respectively.
Further, in this case, the product code is changed to the code information BC by the clerk performing the product designation operation and the operation of reading the code information BC of the electronic shelf label 30 on either the clerk side or the customer side. The electronic shelf label 30 that reads the above and the electronic shelf label 30 that is in a pair relationship with the electronic shelf label 30 are associated with each other. That is, in the shelf label product correspondence information, the product acquired by the product designation operation in the area of the product code associated with the pair of electronic shelf label codes including the shelf label code of the electronic shelf label 30 whose code information BC is read. The code is stored.
In this case, for example, when the business day ends and the heat insulating fixture 50 is cleaned, in order to clear the correspondence between the shelf label code and the product code in the shelf label product correspondence information, a pair relationship is established. The shelf label code of a certain electronic shelf label 30 may not be cleared. In this case, if the electronic shelf label 30 to be attached to the heat insulating fixture 50 is registered as a pair, it is not necessary to register the pair of the electronic shelf label 30.

Further, in the shelf label product correspondence information in the figure, the cooking history is further associated. The cooking history is information indicating the cooking history of the corresponding cooking product SC at the store ST. As shown in the figure, the cooking history is information in which the cooking completion time and the replenishment quantity are associated with each other. For example, for each cooking product SC that is supported in one business day, one cooking history (cooking completion time and replenishment quantity) is added each time the food is cooked at the store ST and displayed (replenished) on the heat insulating fixture 50. I will go.
The cooking completion time is the time when cooking at the store ST of the corresponding cooking product SC is completed. The cooking completion time of the shelf label product correspondence information may be, for example, a time corresponding to the timing at which the processes of steps S102 and S103 are completed. Strictly speaking, the time corresponding to the timing at which the processes of steps S102 and S103 are completed is not the time when the cooking of the corresponding cooking product SC is completed. However, in the store ST in this case, when the cooking of the cooked product SC is actually completed, the cooked product SC is put in the heat insulating fixture 50 and displayed as soon as possible, so that the time when the shelf label product correspondence information is stored is , There is not much time difference from the time when cooking is actually completed, and there is no problem considering it as the time when cooking is completed.
Further, the replenishment quantity indicates the quantity replenished (displayed) in the heat insulating fixture 50 for the cooked product SC cooked at the corresponding cooking completion time. When the replenishment quantity is included in the cooking history in this way, the clerk is made to perform the product designation operation according to steps S102 and S103, the operation of reading the code information BC, and the operation of inputting the replenishment quantity this time. Good.
In response to the completion of the processes of steps S102 and S103, the process of step S105 described below is immediately executed from step S104. In response to the process of step S105, the electronic shelf label 30 displays the product-related information.
Therefore, at the time corresponding to the timing when the processing of steps S102 and S103 is completed, the product-related information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 in response to the product-related information being transmitted to the electronic shelf label 30 in step S105. Corresponds to the timing.

The explanation is returned to FIG.
Step S105: The POS terminal 20 transmits product-related information to the electronic shelf label 30 of the shelf label code acquired in response to step S103. The product-related information transmitted in step S105 may be generated by using the product information specified in step S102 acquired from the product master.
Further, the POS terminal 20 in step S105 transmits product-related information to each of the electronic shelf label 30-A on the clerk side and the electronic shelf label 30-B on the customer side. At this time, the POS terminal 20 may transmit the same product-related information to the electronic shelf label 30-A on the clerk side and the electronic shelf label 30-B on the customer side, respectively, for the clerk and the customer, respectively. Product-related information with different contents may be transmitted depending on the situation.

Step S106: The POS terminal 20 notifies the clerk that the transmission of the product-related information has been completed (transmission completion notification) in response to the completion of the transmission of the product-related information in step S105. The transmission completion notification may be performed, for example, by displaying in a predetermined mode on the clerk side display unit 210.

Step S107: After step S106, the POS terminal 20 determines whether or not an operation (mode end operation) for instructing the end of the shelf label display control mode by the clerk has been performed.
If the electronic shelf label 30 on which the product-related information should be displayed still remains, the clerk may display the next target product on the next electronic shelf label 30 without performing the mode end operation. Perform the product specification operation corresponding to. The POS terminal 20 is set to return to the process of step S102 in response to the product designation operation.

Step S108: When the store clerk displays the product-related information for all the electronic shelf labels 30 on which the product-related information should be displayed, the clerk performs the mode end operation. In response to the mode end operation, the POS terminal 20 ends the shelf label display control mode.

Next, an example of the processing procedure executed by the electronic shelf label 30 will be described.
Step S201: The electronic shelf label 30 receives the product-related information transmitted from the POS terminal 20 to itself as the process of step S105.
Step S202: The electronic shelf label 30 displays the product-related information received by the display unit 304.

As can be understood from the above explanation, when displaying the cooked product SC on the heat insulating fixture 50, the clerk specifies the target product by performing the product designation operation on the POS terminal 20 and corresponds to the display position of the target product. The information of the target product can be displayed (notified) on the electronic shelf label 30 by a simple operation of reading the code information BC of the electronic shelf label 30 to be attached.

For example, in a general display shelf where a customer is made to pick up a product, the displayed product is often left unsold even when the product is replenished. In addition, in general display shelves, the display position of products is not frequently changed. For this reason, when product information is displayed on a general display shelf by an electronic shelf label, the frequency of changing the display on the electronic shelf label or removing the electronic shelf label is low. Therefore, for example, when replenishing a product, it is possible to replenish the same product while checking what has already been displayed. In other words, in many cases, even an inexperienced clerk can display and replenish products on a general display shelf without any problem.
On the other hand, the heat insulating fixture 50 is regularly cleaned, for example, once a day. For cleaning, the inside of the heat insulating fixture 50 is emptied. For this reason, especially when the cooked product SC is to be displayed for the first time after cleaning the heat insulator 50, the cooked product SC is displayed from the state where nothing is displayed on the heat insulator 50. There is a high possibility that the clerk of the person is confused as to which cooked product SC is displayed at which position, or makes a mistake in the position where the cooked product SC is displayed.
In the case of the present embodiment, as described above, the operation of designating the cooked product SC on the clerk side display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20 and the code information of the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the heat insulating fixture 50 are input to the POS terminal. By performing the operation of causing the 20 to read, the product information can be displayed on the electronic shelf label 30.
Then, the clerk can display the cooked product SC while checking the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 30. As a result, for example, even an inexperienced clerk can perform the display work while accurately grasping which cooked product SC should be displayed at each display position of the heat insulating fixture 50. Also, when the clerk needs to take out the cooked product SC from the heat insulating fixture 50, the clerk confirms the cooked product SC to be taken out while checking the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 30, and picks up the cooked product SC. Can be taken out. As a result, even an inexperienced clerk can take out the cooked product SC without hesitating the name of the cooked product SC, for example.
Further, it is preferable that the cooking product SC displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50 can be flexibly changed according to, for example, the weather, season, and event of the day. At this time, if the product information is presented on a general product tag or sticker for each product displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50, it is troublesome to replace the product tag or sticker. Therefore, it is difficult to change the cooking product SC displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50. On the other hand, in the case of the configuration in which the product information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 as in the present embodiment, the store clerk especially when attaching the electronic shelf label 30 to the heat insulating fixture 50, the electronic shelf label 30 It is not necessary to select, and the product information can be displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 with a simple operation. That is, under the present embodiment, it is possible to easily and flexibly change the products displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50.

[Display position notification of cooked products]
In the store ST, product-related information is displayed on each of the electronic shelf labels 30 attached to the heat insulating fixture 50, and the cooked product SC is displayed at each of the appropriate positions of the heat insulating fixture 50, and the business is carried out.
When the customer intends to purchase the cooked product SC, he / she orders the clerk who operates the POS terminal 20 by verbally telling the cooked product SC he / she intends to purchase. The clerk performs an operation of registering the ordered cooked product SC on the POS terminal 20, and also takes out the ordered product from the heat insulating fixture 50. At this time, there is a possibility that the ordered product may be confused as to which of the products displayed in the heat insulating fixture 50 is, or the product may be mistaken. Such mistakes are more likely to occur, for example, especially when the clerk is an inexperienced person.
In the present embodiment, the clerk side of the heat insulating fixture 50 attaches an electronic shelf tag 30 on which product information is displayed for each cooked product SC. As a result, the occurrence of the above-mentioned mistakes can be suppressed, but especially for an inexperienced clerk, even if the product information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 30, the product name of the cooked product SC is mistaken, for example. Such mistakes may also occur.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the configuration described below enables the clerk to more accurately take out the cooked product SC ordered by the customer.

The flowchart of FIG. 10 shows an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 30 in connection with the registration of the cooked product SC.
First, an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 will be described.
Step S301: The POS terminal 20 waits for the product registration operation of designating and registering one product to be performed.
Step S302: The POS terminal 20 executes a product registration process for registering a product designated by the product registration operation in response to the product registration operation being performed.

Step S303: The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not the product registered by the product registration process in step S302 is a cooked product. For example, in the product information for each product stored in the product master of the present embodiment, information indicating that is stored for a cooked product. The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not the product information of the corresponding product acquired when the product registration process is executed in step S302 includes information indicating that the product is a cooked product as the process of the step S303. do it.
If it is determined that the registered product is not a cooked product, the process of step S304 described below is skipped and the process of the figure is terminated.

Step S304: When it is determined in step S303 that the registered product is a cooked product, the POS terminal 20 is positioned with respect to the electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side associated with the registered product. Send a notification instruction. The position notification instruction is a command instructing the electronic shelf label 30 to execute an operation of notifying the clerk of the position where the corresponding product is displayed.
The electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side, which is the destination of the position notification instruction, is specified by referring to the shelf label code of the electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side in the shelf label product correspondence information that stores the same product code as the registered product. it can.

Next, an example of the processing procedure of the electronic shelf label 30 will be described.
Step S401: The electronic shelf label 30 receives the position notification instruction transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in step S304.
Step S402: In response to receiving the position notification instruction, the electronic shelf label 30 executes the position notification.
The electronic shelf label 30 may make the light emitting indicator unit 305 emit light as a mode of position notification by step S402. At this time, the color and the like emitted by the light emitting indicator unit 305 may be appropriately determined. Further, the color emitted by the light emitting indicator unit 305 may be changed with the passage of time. Further, the light emitting indicator unit 305 may be blinked in a predetermined pattern.
Further, as a mode of position notification in step S402, the display unit 304 may display according to the notification.

The electronic shelf label 30 whose position is notified by the clerk as described above is attached corresponding to the display position of the cooked product SC registered by the product registration process. Therefore, the clerk is made to take out the cooking product SC corresponding to the electronic shelf label 30 that is performing the position notification from the heat insulating fixture 50. As a result, for example, even an inexperienced clerk can immediately take out the cooked product SC ordered by the customer without making a mistake.

The position notification in step S402 may be terminated after a certain period of time has elapsed, for example. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 may be controlled so that the operation for registering the next product or the subtotal operation for the clerk to be performed on the POS terminal 20 is terminated.
Further, the electronic shelf label 30 may be provided with an operator, and the position notification may be terminated in response to the operation on the operator.
Further, for example, a sensor such as an acceleration sensor capable of detecting vibration is provided on the electronic shelf label 30. Then, the position notification may be terminated in response to the sensor detecting the vibration in response to the operation of touching an arbitrary position of the electronic shelf label 30. Further, a door is provided on the clerk side of the heat insulating fixture 50, and when it is necessary to open the door when taking out the cooked product SC, the sensor detects the vibration generated by the opening of the door. The position notification may be terminated accordingly.

Further, when the electronic shelf label 30 is provided with a sensor for detecting vibration as described above, the electronic shelf label 30 notifies the POS terminal 20 that the cooked product SC has been taken out as follows. Can be configured.
That is, in response to the sensor detecting the vibration, the electronic shelf label 30 notifies the POS terminal 20 of the fact that the cooked product SC registered as the product has been taken out from the heat insulating fixture 50 (take-out confirmation notice). Send. By receiving the take-out confirmation notice, the POS terminal 20 can confirm that the clerk has forgotten to take out the cooked product SC registered by the product registration process from the heat insulating fixture 50.
If the POS terminal 20 includes the cooked product SC in the products registered by the product registration process in one transaction, the POS terminal 20 must not receive the take-out confirmation notification for all the registered cooked product SCs. , You may control not to complete the accounting. As a specific example, when the withdrawal confirmation notification has not been received for at least one of the registered cooked product SCs at the stage when the subtotal operation is performed, for example, by displaying on the clerk side display unit 210 or the like. , The cooked product SC that has been forgotten to be taken out may be guided to be taken out from the heat insulating fixture 50. Then, the POS terminal 20 can execute the processing related to the accounting after the subtotal operation in response to the receipt confirmation notification (or the confirmation operation on the POS terminal 20 by the clerk may be performed) from the electronic shelf label 30. May be done.

When an electronic shelf label 30 equipped with a sensor for detecting vibration is attached to the customer side, an operation in which the customer touches the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side corresponding to the cooking product SC to be ordered by the customer. By doing so, support for product registration for the cooked product SC as a transaction target may be provided. That is, in this case, the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side transmits a product registration request including its own shelf label code to the POS terminal 20 in response to the touch by the customer and the detection of vibration.
The POS terminal 20 specifies the product code associated with the shelf label code included in the received product registration request from the shelf label product correspondence information, and the clerk side display unit indicates that the specified product should be registered. It is displayed at 210 in a predetermined manner. In this case, for example, a pop-up window is used to present the information (product name, product code) of the specified product, and then a message instructing the clerk to perform the registration operation of the product. May be displayed. In addition, among the product specification buttons arranged on the product registration screen, the button corresponding to the specified product is highlighted to prompt the clerk to register the specified product. May be good. Further, at this time, the POS terminal 20 may be controlled so that the position notification is performed to the customer by the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the product specified in the electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side. ..
Further, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to execute a product registration process for registering the specified product in response to specifying the product associated with the shelf label code included in the product registration request. Further, also at this time, the POS terminal 20 notifies the customer of the position by the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the product specified in the electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side together with the execution of the product registration interest. May be controlled so that
With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably register the cooked product SC without making a mistake in the product, as compared with the case where the clerk receives an oral order from the customer and registers the product.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the electronic shelf label 30 itself on the clerk side corresponding to the registered cooked product SC notifies in response to the product registration operation for registering the cooked product SC. Be made. As a result, the clerk can take out the cooked product SC from the display position corresponding to the electronic shelf label 30 that has been notified without checking the product name displayed on the electronic shelf label 30, for example, resulting in a mistake. You can take out the cooked product SC without any. That is, even an inexperienced clerk can accurately take out the cooked product SC without hesitation.

The POS terminal 20 transmits a position notification instruction not only to the electronic shelf label 30 on the clerk side but also to the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side, and the position notification is executed on the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side as well. You can do it. By looking at the position notification of the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side, the customer can confirm whether or not the clerk mistakenly registered another product. In addition, the customer can clearly confirm whether or not the clerk mistakenly takes out another cooked product SC.

[Notification of expiration date (disposal timing) of cooked products]
The cooked product SC has, for example, an expiration date of about several hours. For this reason, if the cooked product SC displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50 after cooking is completed and remains unsold until the expiration date, the clerk will start the cooked product SC whose expiration date has passed from the heat insulating fixture 50. It is necessary to take it out and dispose of it.
However, when disposing of the cooked product SC as described above, the clerk grasps the expiration date of each cooked product SC and then sets the time when the cooked product SC displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50 becomes the expiration date. You need to remember it. For this reason, it is difficult for an unskilled clerk to dispose of the cooked product SC, and even an proficient clerk may forget the time when the cooked product SC expires.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described below, since the corresponding cooked product SC on the electronic shelf label 30 has reached the expiration date, a disposal instruction notification (presence) that instructs the clerk to dispose of the cooked product SC. Expiration notification) may be provided.

The flowchart of FIG. 11 shows an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 30 in relation to the expiration date notification of the cooked product SC.
First, an example of the processing procedure of the POS terminal 20 will be described.
Step S501: The POS terminal 20 is waiting for the cooking completion time to be set for one product. The cooking completion time is set according to the storage of the shelf label product correspondence information in step S104 of FIG. The shelf tag product correspondence information includes information on the cooking completion time. Therefore, the cooking completion time is set according to the storage of the shelf label product correspondence information.

Step S502: The POS terminal 20 acquires the expiration date of the cooked product SC whose cooking completion time is set in step S101. The POS terminal 20 may be configured to acquire information on the expiration date of the cooked product SC stored in the product information in the product master, for example.

Step S503: When the POS terminal 20 acquires the expiration date in step S502, it starts timing and waits for the time to be clocked to elapse.
Step S504: When the expiration date has passed, the POS terminal 20 indicates that the expiration date has passed to the electronic shelf tag 30 on the clerk side associated with the corresponding cooking product SC in the shelf tag product correspondence information. Send an expiration notice.

Next, an example of the processing procedure executed by the electronic shelf label 30 will be described.
Step S601: The electronic shelf label 30 receives the expiration date notification transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in step S504.
Step S602: In response to receiving the expiration date notification, the electronic shelf label 30 executes the disposal instruction notification. The disposal instruction notification is a notification for instructing the clerk to dispose of the corresponding cooked product SC.
The electronic shelf label 30 may cause the light emitting indicator unit 305 to emit light in a predetermined mode as a mode of disposing instruction notification in step S602. Further, the electronic shelf label 30 may be configured so that the display unit 304 displays the contents according to the disposal instruction notification.

By notifying the clerk of the disposal instruction as described above, the clerk can surely recognize the cooked product SC whose expiration date has expired and perform the disposal work.

[Replenishment (production) instructions for cooked products]
Further, for example, in a store ST, when the remaining number of cooked product SCs displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50 is less than a predetermined value, at least the shortage of cooked product SCs is cooked and replenished to the heat insulating fixture 50. It may be operated like this.
In the case of such an operation, the clerk grasps the remaining number of the cooked product SC that needs to be replenished, and each time the customer purchases the cooked product SC, the remaining number of the cooked product SC becomes less than or equal to the predetermined number. You have to check if it was. The remaining number that needs to be replenished may differ depending on the cooked product SC. In this case, the clerk needs to remember the remaining number that needs to be replenished for each cooked product SC.
For this reason, the more inexperienced the clerk is, the more the cooked product SC cannot be replenished properly because the remaining number of the cooked product SC needs to be replenished cannot be grasped or the remaining number is forgotten to be confirmed. Most likely not. If replenishment is not performed, for example, when an order is received from a customer, the product is out of stock, which leads to loss of sales opportunities.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the instruction for replenishing the cooked product SC may be given as follows.

The flowchart of FIG. 12 shows an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 30 in connection with the replenishment instruction of the cooked product SC.
First, an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 will be described.
Step S701: The POS terminal 20 is waiting for the completion of the accounting for the transaction in which the cooked product SC is included in the purchased products as the accounting corresponding to one transaction. Here, the fact that the cooked product SC was included in the purchased product means that the cooked product SC was registered in the product registration process. That is, the process for specifying the cooked product SC as a product has been performed.

Step S702: When it is determined that the accounting for the transaction including the cooked product SC is completed, the POS terminal 20 acquires the current remaining number of the cooked product SC included in the transaction.
For this reason, the POS terminal 20 may always manage the remaining number. For example, when replenishing the cooked product SC to the heat insulating fixture 50, the clerk performs an operation of inputting, for example, the number of the replenished cooked product SC into the POS terminal 20. The POS terminal 20 updates the current remaining number by adding the number of replenished cooking product SCs to the existing remaining number in response to the input of the number of replenished cooking product SCs. Further, the POS terminal 20 has a timing at which it can be seen that the purchase of the cooked product SC by the customer has been confirmed (for example, a timing at which the product registration of the transaction including the registration of the cooked product SC is completed (for example, a subtotal operation is performed)). Or, at the timing when the product registration process of the cooked product SC is completed, the timing when the accounting of the transaction including the purchase of the cooked product SC is completed), the number of the cooked product SC whose purchase is confirmed is subtracted from the current remaining number. And update the remaining number.
In step S702, the POS terminal 20 may acquire the remaining number of the cooking product SC purchased in this transaction from the remaining number of the cooking product SC managed in this way. When a plurality of types of cooked product SCs are purchased in this transaction, the POS terminal 20 acquires the remaining number for each of the plurality of types of cooked product SCs.

Step S703: The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not there is a cooked product SC whose remaining number acquired in step S702 is equal to or less than a predetermined (threshold value). When a plurality of types of cooked product SCs are purchased in this transaction, the POS terminal 20 compares the threshold value and the remaining number determined corresponding to the cooked product SCs for each of the plurality of types of cooked product SCs.
When it is determined in step S703 that there is no cooked product SC having a remaining number of less than a predetermined number, the POS terminal 20 skips the process of step S704 described below and ends the process of the figure.

Step S704: When it is determined in step S703 that there is a cooking product SC having a remaining number of a predetermined number or less, the POS terminal 20 has an electronic shelf label associated with each cooking product SC having a remaining number of a predetermined number or less. Replenishment instructions are sent to each of the 30.

Next, an example of the processing procedure executed by the electronic shelf label 30 will be described.
Step S8011: The electronic shelf label 30 receives the replenishment instruction transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in step S704.
Step S802: In response to receiving the replenishment instruction, the electronic shelf label 30 executes the replenishment instruction notification. The replenishment instruction notification is a notification for instructing the clerk to replenish the corresponding cooking product SC.
The electronic shelf label 30 may cause the light emitting indicator unit 305 to emit light in a predetermined mode as a mode of disposing instruction notification in step S802. Further, the electronic shelf label 30 may be configured so that the display unit 304 displays the contents according to the replenishment instruction notification.

Conventionally, in a POS system, a quantity management function related to cooking (production) of a cooked product SC or the like and a sales quantity management function have been performed individually without any particular cooperation with each other. Under the present embodiment, the production quantity and the sales quantity can be centrally managed in cooperation with the quantity management function related to cooking (production) of the cooked product SC and the like and the sales quantity management function. As a result, as described above, it becomes possible to accurately give the replenishment instruction (settlement instruction) of the cooked product SC based on the production quantity and the sales quantity.

The electronic shelf label 30 displays, for example, the number of cooked product SCs to be replenished and the number of cooked product SCs to be cooked (produced) for replenishment on the display unit 304 when the replenishment instruction is notified. Good. In addition, when there is a lot of detailed information that cannot be displayed on the display unit 304 of the electronic shelf label 30 in the replenishment instruction notification, the detailed information is transmitted to the POS terminal 20 or the POS terminal 20 together with the replenishment instruction notification on the electronic shelf label 30. It may be displayed by the clerk mobile terminal 40 or the like.

Further, when the POS terminal 20 is capable of managing the remaining number of cooked product SCs displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50 as in the process shown in the figure, for example, the clerk forgets to replenish or is not in the sales time zone. Replenishment may not be performed because it is not necessary to replenish from.
In such a case, as the cooked product SC is purchased, the remaining number of the cooked product SC remaining in the heat insulating fixture 50 becomes zero at a certain stage. In this way, when the customer receives an order for the cooked product SC under the situation where the remaining number of the cooked product SC is zero, the clerk must be aware that the remaining number of the cooked product SC is zero. , The operation of registering the cooked product SC is useless.
Therefore, the POS terminal 20 may not be able to register the cooked product SC whose remaining number is zero. Specifically, for example, the button for designating the corresponding cooked product SC, which is arranged on the product registration screen displayed on the clerk side display unit 210, may be displayed so as not to be operated by graying out or the like. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 indicates that the POS terminal 20 cannot be sold because the remaining number is zero in response to the operation of the button for designating the corresponding cooked product SC, by displaying on the clerk side display unit 210 or the like. May be notified to.

<Second Embodiment>
Subsequently, the second embodiment will be described.
Tobacco is sold at convenience stores. At convenience stores, cigarettes, which are products, are displayed so as to be arranged on a display shelf provided on the clerk side of a counter on which the POS terminal 20 is installed. In addition, a unique number (tobacco control number) is assigned to each product tobacco. On the display shelves, a sign indicating the tobacco control number corresponding to the position of the displayed tobacco is attached. As a result, not only the clerk but also the customer over the counter can confirm what the tobacco management number assigned to the cigarette is.
When purchasing cigarettes, the customer confirms the cigarette management number displayed at the place of the cigarette he / she purchased on the display shelf, and then informs the clerk of the cigarette management number of the cigarette he / she purchased. The clerk finds the position where the given cigarette control number is displayed on the display shelf and tries to take out the cigarette displayed at the found position.
However, when the clerk provides cigarettes in response to an order from a customer in this way, it may take longer than necessary to find out the tobacco management number if the clerk is an inexperienced person. .. It is also possible for a clerk to misunderstand the cigarette control number while searching for the ordered cigarette and take out a cigarette different from the ordered one.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, among the cigarettes displayed on the display shelf, the position of the cigarette ordered by the customer is notified. The configuration for this purpose will be described below.

In the present embodiment, the electronic shelf label 30 is attached to each cigarette displayed on the display shelf.
FIG. 13 shows an extracted portion of the display shelf where two cigarettes are displayed. In the figure, two tobacco SCTs, which are products, are displayed side by side. On top of that, an electronic shelf label 30 is attached in front of the tobacco SCT corresponding to each of the displayed tobacco SCTs. In this case, information that can identify the corresponding cigarette is displayed on the display unit 304 of the electronic shelf label 30. Specifically, in the figure, an example in which the product name and the number are displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 is shown.

Further, the POS terminal 20 of the present embodiment stores the shelf label product correspondence information in which the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the display shelf and the cigarette are associated with each other.
FIG. 14 shows an example of the shelf label product correspondence information of the present embodiment. The shelf label product correspondence information in the figure is information in which the shelf label code and the tobacco management number are associated with each other.
For the shelf label product correspondence information in this embodiment, for example, a clerk sets a shelf label display control mode according to the first embodiment, specifies a cigarette (may be an operation of inputting a cigarette management number), and an electronic shelf label 30. It may be generated by performing the operation of reading the code information of.

When the clerk who operates the POS terminal 20 is informed of the tobacco management number of the tobacco to be purchased by the customer who purchases the tobacco, for example, he / she performs a tobacco registration declaration operation for declaring that the product type to be registered is tobacco. ..
In response to the tobacco registration declaration operation, the POS terminal 20 displays a tobacco-compatible product designation screen on the clerk-side display unit 210.
FIG. 15 shows an example of a product designation screen corresponding to tobacco product registration. The product specification screen in the figure shows an example of a window format displayed so as to be superimposed on the product registration screen.
The product designation screen in the figure is designed to specify a cigarette product (brand) by entering a tobacco management number. The clerk performs an operation of inputting the tobacco management number given by the customer on the product designation screen. When the tobacco management number is entered on the product designation screen, for example, the product designation screen is deleted and the product registration screen is displayed.

Although not shown, the product specification screen corresponding to tobacco may be capable of inputting not only a tobacco management number but also a character string as a search key for tobacco. In this case, the character string as the search key may include a product name (brand), product features (cigarette, electronic cigarette, heat-not-burn tobacco, menthol, etc.), nicotine and tar values, and the like.
Further, for example, with respect to a product name or the like, a narrowing search may be performed each time characters are input.
Further, each time the search condition is input, the candidate cigarette brand corresponding to the search condition may be displayed. Then, the POS terminal 20 may be controlled so that the position notification is performed by the electronic shelf label 30 according to the fact that one cigarette is confirmed by the narrowing down.

When the tobacco control number is input to the product designation screen, the POS terminal 20 transmits a position notification instruction to the electronic shelf label 30 associated with the input tobacco control number. The electronic shelf label 30 that has received the position notification instruction executes the position notification display.
As a result, on the cigarette display shelf, the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the cigarette of the cigarette management number that the customer has given to the clerk for purchase is in a state of displaying the position notification. Therefore, the clerk is made to take out the cigarettes displayed according to the electronic shelf label 30 on which the position notification display is performed. In this case, the clerk can immediately take out the cigarette ordered by the customer without hesitation just by looking at the position notification display.

<Modification example>
Hereinafter, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described.
[First modification]
In the first embodiment described above, when the product information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 under the shelf label display control mode, the shelf label product correspondence information in which the shelf label code and the product code are associated with each other is generated. At that time, an operation of reading the code information BC from the electronic shelf label 30 was performed.
In this modification, as described below, the shelf label code and the product code are associated with each other without performing the operation of reading the code information BC from the electronic shelf label 30. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, an example will be given in which the electronic shelf label 30 is attached to the clerk side of the heat insulating fixture 50, but the electronic shelf label 30 cannot be attached to the customer side.

In this modification, the POS terminal 20 causes the store clerk side display unit 210 to display the shelf label display operation screen in response to the operation of the store clerk in the shelf label display control mode.
FIG. 16 shows an example of a shelf label display operation screen. On the shelf tag display operation screen, the heat insulating furniture button area AR10 and the product button area AR20 are arranged.

In the heat insulating furniture button area AR10, the display position button BT11 is arranged so as to correspond to the display position of the cooked product SC when the heat insulating furniture 50 is viewed from the clerk side. In the figure, the display position button BT11 corresponding to the case where two cooked product SCs are displayed in each of the upper and lower three stages in correspondence with the display in the heat insulating fixture 50 shown in FIG. 7 (A). It is the arrangement of. Display position numbers 1 to 6 assigned to each display position are displayed on each of the display position buttons BT11.

In the product button area AR20, for example, a product button BT21 which is a cooked product handled in a store ST and is associated with each of the cooked product SCs displayed on the heat insulating fixture 50 is arranged. At each of the product buttons BT21, product information indicating the associated product is displayed. In the figure, an example in which the product name is displayed as the product information is shown, but the price, a photograph of the product, an illustration image, or the like may also be displayed.

When displaying product information on the electronic shelf label 30 attached corresponding to one display position, the clerk first displays the display corresponding to the display position on which the electronic shelf label 30 to be displayed is attached in the heat insulating fixture button area AR10. Operate the position button BT11. The operated display position button BT11 is highlighted in a predetermined manner to indicate that the corresponding display position is currently being selected.
Next, the clerk performs an operation of selecting the cooked product SC to be displayed at the display position corresponding to the operated display position button BT11. That is, the clerk operates the product button BT21 associated with the corresponding cooked product SC from the product button BT21 in the product button area AR20.
In response to the operation performed in this way, the POS terminal 20 causes the selected display position button BT11 to display the product information of the cooked product SC selected by the operation of the product button BT21. In the figure, an example is shown in which product information is displayed as “fried chicken (salty)” by the display position button BT11 of the display position number 1.
Further, the POS terminal 20 displays the product information of the cooked product SC selected by the operation of the product button BT21 on the electronic shelf tag 30 attached to the display position corresponding to the display position button BT11 on which the product information is displayed. ..
Even with such an operation, the store clerk can accurately display the product information for each electronic shelf label 30 by a simple and easy-to-understand operation.

FIG. 17 shows an example of shelf label product correspondence information stored in the POS terminal 20 corresponding to this modification. In the figure, one line (one record) is the shelf label product correspondence information corresponding to one display position in the heat insulating fixture 50.
The shelf label product correspondence information corresponding to one display position includes the display position number, the shelf label code, the product code, and the area of the cooking completion time.
The area of the display position number stores the display position number assigned to the corresponding display position among the display positions defined in the heat insulating fixture 50.
The shelf label code area stores the shelf label code of the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the corresponding display position.

In the present embodiment, the electronic shelf label 30 to be attached to the corresponding display position is determined in advance, and then the electronic shelf label to be attached to the corresponding display position for each display position number by the registration setting operation in advance. You will be asked to register 30 shelf label codes.

The product code area is the cooked product SC selected by operating the product button BT21 under the state that the display position button BT11 of the display position number stored in the display position number area is operated and selected. Store the product code of.

The cooking completion time area stores the cooking completion time of the cooking product SC displayed at the corresponding display position. In this case, the cooking completion time is the timing at which the correspondence between the shelf label code and the product code at the corresponding display position is determined according to the operation for the display position button BT11 and the operation for the product button BT21. It may be the time according to. Also in this modified example, by including the cooking completion time in the shelf label product correspondence information, it is possible to give a notification (FIG. 11) instructing the disposal of the cooked product SC whose expiration date has expired.

[Second modification]
In each of the above embodiments, at the time of product registration, a notification indicating the display position of the designated product is sent in response to the operation of designating (specifying) the product such as the cooked product SC or tobacco as the registered product. It is designed to be performed by the electronic shelf label 30. In this case, the operation of designating (specifying) the product as a registered product is performed as an operation for the POS terminal 20.
However, in the present embodiment, the designation of the product to be notified is not limited to the case where the product is operated by the POS terminal 20.
For example, the device capable of designating the product to be notified may be a clerk mobile terminal 40, a store controller 10, or the like.

[Third variant]
The device capable of designating the product to be notified may be a ticket vending machine that issues a voucher for the product ordered by the customer (for example, a meal ticket if the product is a cooked product). ..
FIG. 18 shows an external example of the ticket vending machine 60 of this modified example. The ticket vending machine 60 in the figure includes a display unit 61 arranged so that the rectangular display surface is vertically long. The display unit 61 is configured as a touch panel.
In the store ST, the ticket vending machine 60 is installed so that the customer can see and operate the display unit 61 at the counter where the POS terminal 20 is installed, for example.
On the display unit 61, a screen on which a cooking product SC or a cigarette to be notified of the display position can be selected is displayed. The customer performs an operation of designating (specifying) a product such as a cooked product SC or a cigarette to be purchased on the display unit 61.
The ticket vending machine 60 stores information on shelf label products. The ticket vending machine 60 searches for a shelf label code associated with the product specified by the customer's operation from the shelf label product correspondence information, and transmits a position notification instruction to the searched shelf label code as a destination.
As a result, the electronic shelf label 30 installed corresponding to the product designated by the customer by operating the ticket vending machine notifies the position, so that the clerk can accurately take out the product ordered by the customer.
In this case, the information (order information) indicating the breakdown of the product ordered by the customer by operating the ticket vending machine is written or coded by using the configuration of the printing unit provided by the ticket vending machine for issuing the ticket. The ticket vending machine may be able to issue an order form printed as information. The customer hands the issued order slip to the clerk. The clerk can register the product by confirming the order information printed on the handed order form or by causing the POS terminal 20 to read the code information printed on the order form.
Alternatively, the ticket vending machine 60 in this case may notify the POS terminal 20 of the designated product in response to the operation of the customer to specify the product. The POS terminal 20 may, for example, highlight a button for designating the notified product on the product registration screen displayed on the clerk side display unit 210. As a result, the clerk can immediately grasp the product designated by the ticket vending machine 60 and perform the product registration operation. In such a case, since the ticket vending machine 60 does not have to issue a slip or the like, it may function as an order receiving machine capable of receiving an order from a customer separately from the POS terminal 20.

[Fourth variant]
It should be noted that various notifications (notification of the display position of the product at the time of product registration, instruction to dispose of the cooked product SC according to the expiration date, and the number of displays are less than or equal to the predetermined value) performed by the electronic shelf label 30 according to the above embodiment. Instructions for replenishment of the cooked product SC, etc., according to the fact that the product has become stale) may be given by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30.
For example, the above notification may be performed as a display in a predetermined mode on the clerk side display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20.

Further, when the position of the cooking product SC is notified by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30 as described above, there is a possibility that the device and the location of the cooking product SC are separated. Therefore, when notifying the position of the cooking product SC by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30, for example, the display position of the cooking product SC to be notified on the map (map) in the store ST or the notification target from the current location. The route to the display position of the cooked product SC may be displayed.
Further, the notification by the electronic shelf label 30 as in each of the above embodiments and the notification by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30 may be performed in combination.

Further, as a notification by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30, the projector may perform projection display in a predetermined mode so as to indicate the display position of the target cooked product SC.

[Fifth variant]
In each of the above embodiments (and the fourth modification), the cooking product SC is notified by the display on the electronic shelf label 30 or the device other than the electronic shelf label 30. However, for example, a device other than the electronic shelf label 30 or the electronic shelf label 30 may be configured to perform the notification by voice. In this case, the notification by voice may be performed without the display, or the notification may be performed by using both the display and the voice.

[6th variant]
Even if the electronic shelf tag 30 or the like notifies the display position of the cooked product SC, the clerk may mistake the product.
Therefore, in the POS system, it is configured so that the clerk can detect that the cooked product SC of the heat insulating fixture 50 is mistaken, and if a mistake is detected, the clerk can be notified. May be done.
First, as a configuration for detecting a mistake in the cooked product SC, a sensor capable of measuring the weight of the cooked product SC displayed at each display position of the heat insulating fixture 50 is provided. For example, when the measured weight changes, the sensor transmits a notification that the weight has changed (weight change notification) to the POS terminal 20 (may be a store controller 10 or the like) together with its own sensor identifier. The sensor may include the measured weight information in the weight change notification.

The POS terminal 20 stores product sensor correspondence information in which the displayed cooked product SC and the sensor identifier are associated with each other.
The clerk performs an operation of registering the ordered cooked product SC, and then takes out the ordered cooked product SC from the heat insulating fixture 50. At this time, the sensor corresponding to the taken-out cooked product SC transmits a weight change notification to the POS terminal 20.
The POS terminal 20 refers to the product sensor correspondence information, identifies the cooked product SC (taken product) corresponding to the sensor of the destination of the received weight change notification, and registers the taken product by the product registration operation of the clerk. It is determined whether or not the product matches the cooked product SC.
When the taken-out product does not match the cooked product SC registered by the product registration operation of the clerk, the clerk took out the cooked product SC different from the cooked product SC registered by performing the product registration operation from the heat insulating fixture 50. It will be. Therefore, the POS terminal 20 in this case notifies the clerk that the cooked product SC has been mistaken. Such notification may be performed, for example, on the store clerk side display unit 210 as a display in a predetermined mode, or may be performed by voice.

Further, for example, the clerk is made to wear the clerk terminal, and then the POS terminal 20 communicates with the clerk terminal so that the clerk terminal notifies that the cooked product SC is mistaken. It may be controlled to.

Further, even if the taken-out product matches the cooked product SC registered by the product registration operation, the number of the cooked product SC taken out from the heat insulating fixture 50 may be wrong.
Therefore, under the present modification, it may be possible to notify an error in the number of cooked product SCs taken out from the heat insulating fixture 50. To do this, the sensor sends the measured weight information in the weight change notification. Further, for example, in the product master, information on the weight of each cooked product SC is included.
When the POS terminal 20 receives the weight change notification from the sensor, the POS terminal 20 calculates the difference between the weight notified by the received weight change notification and the weight notified by the previous weight change notification. The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not the difference in the calculated weight is within a range that can be regarded as equal to the weight according to the number of registered cooked goods SC. The POS terminal 20 notifies that the number of taken-out items is incorrect when it is determined that the difference in the calculated weight is not within a range that can be regarded as equal to the weight according to the number of registered cooked product SCs. May be done.

It should be noted that the detection of an error in taking out the cooked product SC may be performed based on, for example, an image obtained by capturing an image with a camera. For example, image processing is performed on the captured image obtained by capturing the image with a camera, for example, identifying what the taken-out cooked product SC is, and determining whether or not the product taken out by the clerk is correct. It may be configured to do so. In addition, it may be determined whether or not there is an error in the number of cooked product SCs taken out by the clerk.

Further, by the configuration of this modification, it is possible to notify not only the mistake of taking the cooked product SC as described above but also the mistake of the display position at the time of display.

[7th variant]
Further, as in the sixth modification described above, when it is determined that an error in taking the cooked product SC has occurred, the POS terminal 20 may limit the accounting for the corresponding transaction so as not to be completed. Specifically, for example, the POS terminal 20 may not execute the product registration process according to the product registration operation even if the clerk performs the product registration operation thereafter. Alternatively, even if the product registration operation is possible, the POS terminal 20 prevents the subtotal operation, payment type selection, receipt issuance, etc. from being performed unless the confirmation operation of re-taking out the cooked product SC is performed. You can.
Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 may display a dialog window of each error member and may not accept the operation until a confirmation operation is performed on the dialog window.

[8th modification]
In this modification, the recommended product for the customer who has received the product registration is determined by the POS terminal 20, and the determined recommended product is notified to the clerk.
For example, if the customer is a member and the POS terminal 20 is made to read the membership code of the membership card after the start of the product registration process, the member's attributes (gender, age, etc.) shown in the member information are used. You can decide the recommended product. In addition, the recommended product may be determined based on the customer's purchase history so far.
Further, as the notification of the recommended product, for example, when the cooking product SC is recommended, the electronic shelf tag 30 attached to the heat insulating fixture 50 may be used to notify that the recommended product is the recommended product. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 may notify the clerk of the recommended product by display, voice, or the like.

[9th modification]
For example, communication between the electronic shelf label 30 and the POS terminal 20 may become impossible (communication failure) due to a failure of the electronic shelf label 30 or the like. In this modification, when it is determined by the POS terminal 20 (may be a store controller 10 or the like) that communication with the electronic shelf label 30 of the notification instruction destination is not possible, it is attached at a position close to the electronic shelf label 30 that cannot communicate. The electronic shelf label 30 that can communicate with the user is used to perform the notification instead.
As a specific example, for example, when it is determined that the electronic shelf label 30-1A of FIG. 7A is in a non-communication state, the POS terminal 20 uses the electronic shelf label 30-1A to the right of the electronic shelf label 30-1A. An alternative notification instruction is transmitted to 30-2A.
The electronic shelf label 30-2A that has received the alternative notification instruction is indicated on the display unit 304, for example, by displaying an arrow pointing to the left, for example, to indicate that the display position of the notification is the cooking product SC-1 on the left side. And notify the display position. At this time, the light emitting indicator unit 305 of the electronic shelf label 30-2A may be made to emit light. In order to realize such display of the display unit 304, for example, when transmitting the alternative notification instruction to the electronic shelf label 30-2A, the display data to be displayed on the display unit 304 may also be transmitted.
With such a configuration, even if a problem occurs in some of the electronic shelf labels 30, the business at the store ST can be continued without performing the work of replacing the electronic shelf labels 30.

Further, the electronic shelf label 30 may display its own state on the display unit 304 in response to an instruction from the POS terminal 20 (may be a store controller 10 or the like). As a result, the clerk can accurately confirm the state of the electronic shelf label 30 when he / she wants to confirm the state of the electronic shelf label 30. Further, the display for notifying the clerk of the state of the electronic shelf label 30 may be performed on the POS terminal 20. The displayed electronic shelf label 30 state may be, for example, a normal state or a malfunctioning state, a battery remaining amount, a communication state, or the like.
Further, when the POS system can recognize that the electronic shelf label 30 cannot be displayed due to a failure or the battery is exhausted, it is normal because it is located near the electronic shelf label 30 in the display impossible state. The display unit 304 of the electronic shelf label 30 in the state may display information about the electronic shelf label 30 in the failed state. As a display mode, for example, an arrow may be displayed to indicate a faulty electronic shelf label 30. Alternatively, a message such as "next to the right, the battery is dead" or "please replace the electronic shelf label at the display position 3 to 5" may be displayed on the display unit 304.

[10th variant]
Regarding the notification, instead of displaying the notification on the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the target cooking product SC, for example, all the electronic shelf labels 30 corresponding to other than the target cooking product SC are not applicable. May be displayed so as to indicate.
As a specific example, in the stage before the notification is performed, each of the electronic shelf labels 30 is in a state where, for example, the display unit 304 displays the product information of the corresponding cooked product SC in the same manner. Then, at the stage where the notification should be performed in response to a certain cooking product SC, the POS terminal 20 does not give any particular instruction to the electronic shelf label 30 that is the target of the notification, so that the notification is performed before the notification. Continue the same display as the stage. On the other hand, the POS terminal 20 controls the electronic shelf label 30 that is not the target of the notification so as to erase the display of the product information on the display unit 304, for example. Alternatively, when the brightness (gradation) of the display unit 304 can be adjusted, the POS terminal 20 sets the brightness of the display unit 304 of the electronic shelf label 30 which is not the target of notification to the electronic shelf which is the target of notification. It may be controlled to be lower than the bill 30.
By changing the display in this way, the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the cooking product SC to be notified will appear to be emphasized as a result, and the clerk will know which cooking product SC to be notified. It can be grasped accurately.

[11th variant]
In the present embodiment, the products for which the display position and the like are notified are not limited to the cooked product SC and tobacco. For example, products that are targeted for campaigns or for a limited time and that are displayed in places other than general display shelves or in showcases may also be subject to notification.

[12th variant]
In the present embodiment, the device that controls the notification by the display on the electronic shelf label 30 is not limited to the POS terminal 20, and is, for example, a higher-level device in the POS system such as the store controller 10 or a clerk's mobile phone. It may be a terminal 40 or the like.

[Summary of Embodiment]
(1) As described above, one aspect of the present embodiment corresponds to a product specifying unit that specifies a product (for example, an operation of designating (registering) a product (including an operation of scanning a product code with a scanner)). The POS terminal 20) that acquires the product code, the notification unit that performs notification (for example, the electronic shelf label 30), and the notification unit product correspondence information (for example, the shelf label product correspondence information) that associates the notification unit with the product. A storage unit (for example, hard disk 204 or RAM 203) that stores the product and a notification unit associated with the product specified by the product identification unit that specifies the product in the notification unit product correspondence information provide a predetermined notification. It is a notification system including a notification control means for controlling the operation.
According to the above configuration, for example, when the electronic shelf label 30 performs a predetermined display operation in response to the acquisition (product identification) of the product code performed on the POS terminal 20, information on the designated product can be obtained. It becomes possible to notify the clerk.
Specifically, for example, in the shelf label display control mode, the operation of designating one cooked product SC is performed on the POS terminal 20, and the electronic shelf label 30 is made to read the code information BC by the scanner unit. Shelf tag product correspondence information is generated. Then, the product information can be displayed (notified) on the electronic shelf label 30 associated with the cooking product SC in the shelf label product correspondence information.
In this way, by obtaining the state in which the product information is notified by the electronic shelf label 30, even an inexperienced clerk can accurately grasp the necessary information regarding the product. In other words, the clerk will be able to handle the product appropriately regardless of work experience.

The product identification unit in (1) is, in addition to the POS terminal 20, the ticket vending machine 60, the higher-level device in the POS system, the clerk mobile terminal 40, etc. described in the third modification and the twelfth modification described above. May be good.
Further, the product identification unit may be a customer mobile terminal carried by a customer such as a smart phone. In this case, for example, the user operates a shopping application corresponding to the store ST on the customer's mobile terminal, and then performs an operation of designating (identifying) the cooking product SC that he / she wants to purchase. In response to such an operation, the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the specified cooking product SC may perform position notification.
Further, when a device other than the POS terminal 20 such as a ticket vending machine 60, a higher-level device, a clerk mobile terminal 40, and a customer mobile terminal is regarded as a product identification unit, an electronic shelf is used according to the product being specified by these devices. In addition to the notification on the tag 30, the clerk operates the POS terminal 20 to perform the product registration process of the specified cooked product SC, highlight the button for registering the specified cooked product SC, and the like. It may be controlled so that the support operation is performed.
Further, the notification unit in (1) may be the electronic shelf label 30, the POS terminal 20, the clerk mobile terminal 40, or the like as described above, and further, the projector (fourth modification) described above. It may be performed by a predetermined device deployed at the store ST.

(2) One aspect of the present embodiment is the notification system according to (1) above, and the notification control means controls so that the notification of the display position of the corresponding product is performed by the notification unit. ..
According to the above configuration, for example, the product is specified by the clerk performing the product registration operation of registering the cooked product SC ordered by the customer. Then, the electronic shelf label 30 attached corresponding to the display position of the specified cooking product SC performs the notification operation, so that the position of the cooking product SC can be notified.
As a result, when taking out the ordered cooked product SC from the heat insulating fixture 50, the clerk may take out the cooked product SC displayed at the display position corresponding to the electronic shelf tag 30 that performs the notification operation. That is, for example, even an inexperienced clerk can surely take out the ordered cooked product SC.

(3) One aspect of the present embodiment is the notification system according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the notification control means is a predetermined change (for example, displayed) regarding the display of the corresponding product. It is controlled so that the notification unit is used to notify the replenishment of products and the replacement (change) of the display location).
According to the above configuration, for example, the number of displayed cooked product SCs displayed is less than or equal to the predetermined number in response to the purchase of the cooked product SC (the cooked product SC was specified by the product registration process). The notification operation can be executed by the corresponding electronic shelf label 30 according to the above. As a result, for example, even if the clerk is an inexperienced person and does not fully understand the conditions for replenishing the cooked product SC, the replenishment can be accurately performed in response to the notification.

(4) One aspect of the present embodiment is the notification system according to any one of (1) to (3), in which the notification control means gives an instruction to produce or dispose of the corresponding product. Is controlled so that the notification is performed by the notification unit.
According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to give an instruction for production (cooking) for replenishment according to the display quantity of the cooked product SC, or give an instruction for discarding the cooked product SC when the expiration date has expired. It will be possible.

(5) One aspect of the present embodiment is the notification system according to any one of (1) to (4), further including a registration means for registering a product as a transaction target, and by the product identification unit. Based on the identification of the product, registration of the specified product by the registration means and predetermined notification by the notification control means are performed.
According to the above configuration, for example, when the cooked product SC designated by the customer is specified, the product registration and notification of the specified product are performed at the same time. As a result, for example, even if the clerk does not perform the operation, the product registration process of the cooked product SC specified by the customer and the position notification of the corresponding cooked product SC to the clerk are performed, and the work burden of the clerk is reduced. To.

(6) One aspect of the present embodiment is a notification unit that associates a notification unit that performs notification with a product, and notification that is associated with a product specified by a product identification means that identifies the product. A notification control device (for example, a POS terminal 20, a higher-level device such as a store controller 10, a clerk mobile terminal 40, or the like) is provided with a notification control means for controlling the unit to perform a predetermined notification.

(7) In one aspect of the present embodiment, the computer as the notification control device is specified by the product identification means for specifying the product by the notification unit product correspondence information in which the notification unit that performs the notification and the product are associated with each other. This is a program for causing the notification unit associated with the product to function as a notification control means for controlling so as to perform a predetermined notification.

It should be noted that a program for realizing the functions of each device in the POS system described above is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into the computer system and executed. As a result, the above-mentioned processing of each device or the like may be performed. Here, "loading a computer system a program recorded on a recording medium and executing it" includes installing the program in the computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and a dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. As described above, the recording medium in which the program is stored may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium that can be accessed from the distribution server to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format that can be executed by the terminal device. That is, the format stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed by the terminal device. The program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined by the terminal device, or the distribution server that distributes each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network. It shall include things. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Further, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used, which can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

10 store controller, 20 POS terminal, 30 electronic shelf label, 40 clerk mobile terminal, 50 heat insulation fixture, 60 ticket vending machine, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 hard disk, 205 customer side display unit, 206 customer side scanner unit, 208 card payment unit, 209 change machine, 210 clerk side display unit, 211 key operation unit, 212 clerk side scanner unit, 213 printing unit, 214 audio output unit, 215 communication unit, 301 CPU, 302 storage unit, 303 RAM, 304 Display, 305 light emitting indicator, 306 communication

Claims (7)

Product identification department that identifies products and
The notification unit that performs notification and
A storage unit that stores product correspondence information in a notification unit that associates the notification unit with a product,
A notification system including a notification control means for controlling a notification unit associated with a product specified by a product identification unit that identifies a product in the notification unit product correspondence information so as to perform a predetermined notification. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the notification control means controls the notification of the display position of the corresponding product so that the notification unit performs the notification. The notification system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification control means controls the notification unit to perform notification for instructing a predetermined change in the display of the corresponding product. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification control means controls so that a notification for instructing the production or disposal of a corresponding product is performed by the notification unit. It also has a registration method for registering products as trading targets.
Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein registration of the specified product by the registration means and predetermined notification by the notification control means are performed based on the identification of the product by the product identification unit. The notification system described in paragraph 1. Notification unit that associates the notification unit that performs notification with the product The notification unit that is associated with the product specified by the product identification means that identifies the product is controlled to perform predetermined notification in the product correspondence information. A notification control device including a notification control means. A computer as a notification control device,
Notification unit that associates the notification unit that performs notification with the product The notification unit that is associated with the product specified by the product identification means that identifies the product is controlled to perform predetermined notification in the product correspondence information. A program for functioning as a notification control means.

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